IPL 2026: Who is Rajasthan Royals debutant Brijesh Sharma?
What's the story
Brijesh Sharma, a promising pacer from Jammu and Kashmir, made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut for Rajasthan Royals against Chennai Super Kings on Monday. He was bought at his base price of ₹30 lakh during the IPL 2026 auction. Despite not having played senior cricket before this, his performances in the 2025 Bengal Pro T20 League had caught the attention of franchises.
Rising star
Impressive run in Bengal league
Sharma, a right-arm medium pacer, had an impressive run in the Bengal league. He was joint-fifth among the top wicket-takers with 11 wickets in seven matches while playing for Smashers Malda. His ability to take wickets with both new and old balls was on full display during this tournament, further establishing him as a player to watch out for.
Journey
Early life and struggles
Sharma hails from the Dandial region and grew up in a modest household with his father working as a laborer. He faced financial constraints while pursuing cricket but started representing Jammu and Kashmir at the Under-19 and Under-25 levels. To improve his skills, he moved to Delhi where he trained under Deepak Punia at Unique Sports Club, significantly improving his consistency and control.
Impact
His journey to IPL
Sharma's breakthrough performance in the 2025 Bengal Pro T20 League played a major role in his IPL selection by Rajasthan Royals. His rise has added to the growing list of cricketers from Jammu and Kashmir, after Umran Malik and Auqib Nabi, inspiring many aspiring players from the region.
Performance
Brijesh starred on debut
Brijesh enjoyed a fine debut as he finished with figures worth 1/17 from three overs. Kartik Sharma, another debutant, was his only victim in the game as CSK were folded for 127 while batting first at Guwahati's Barsapara Cricket Stadium. The 27-year-old pacer, who bowled with great control, is likely to get a long run in the RR XI.